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What Depth Meter?
- Thread starterramstam
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
, There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
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Hello,
I recommend for you the best of the world, the F1 Dive Assistant!!!
http://www.liquivision.ca/
[ame="http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=63035"]New Liquivision F1 photos[/ame]
[ame="http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=58193"]Picture of Liquivision F1 Prototype![/ame]
[ame="http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=58076"]Liquivision F1 release date: April 20, 2005[/ame]
I recommend for you the best of the world, the F1 Dive Assistant!!!
http://www.liquivision.ca/
[ame="http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=63035"]New Liquivision F1 photos[/ame]
[ame="http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=58193"]Picture of Liquivision F1 Prototype![/ame]
[ame="http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=58076"]Liquivision F1 release date: April 20, 2005[/ame]
The F1 will deffenately the best of the best out there. Then the Suunto Stinger, the Masketo (excuss the spelling), then the D3 (all three made by Suunto). There is also the Mares Nemo, then there are some other cheaper computers out there made by Casio and some other companies. I use a Stinger myself and am really happy with it.
the F1 definitely sounds great on paper... mutiple alarms and stuff.. those are the little details that make it good... BUT the price is incredibly high, it's weird that they sell it without buttons (so you wouldn't be able to set anything if you bought it for 800 bucks) instead you need to pay extra price for the butons unit... I find it very big and not that streamlined... If I had the money i'd buy one but right now I'd choose a Suunto D3 (only for freediving), the suunto mosquito (freediving + scuba, cheap) the Suunto stinger (it's essencially a better mosquito, looks great and has better quiality) or the cadillac of the suuntos... the D9...
Some comments:
- If choosing a Suunto gauge, the only real choice is a Stinger, since it is the only one out of the four (D3/Mosquito/Stinger/D9) which is reliable and doesn't suffer the anomalyous reset problem
As an example, I have recently been diving with both an F1 and a D3 at the same time. Several times I have reached the surface only to find that the D3 had reset and not measured the dive correctly, therefore forcing me to use the depth/time registered by the F1. In the old days I used to get very frustrated when the D3 would fail over and over, but now, I just laugh!
The F1 is a little bigger than a D3, but not much; for that reason I really wouldn't understand someone who says it is 'big and bulky.'
In terms of price, everything is relative. Given the cost of the parts of the F1 (including the organic LED display and machined casing), if it were sold by a major dive company, it would be selling for $2400-$3200 USD. Why do you think there are no dive computers (except the F1) that use organic LED displays? Because it would cost too much, and a $3000 computer won't sell.
But, you don't need to pay $3000 to get an organic LED dive computer, instead you can get it at only $795... so you see if you look at it that way, things make sense. In fact, selling the F1 at $795, the profit margin is so small that the company may eventually fold (given the $100,000 debt incurred during development). It was originally planned to sell it for $1495 (which would be a more realistic profit margin), but this would alienate too many divers. The D9 is still way more expensive than the F1, reaching 1500 Euro if you buy the full featured D9, and the D9 still has the illegible and tiny LCD display.
It is kind of like saying that the NASA space shuttle is way more expensive than a Ford Explorer. You are comparing two different things....
If you need a really cheap watch which can tell you your depth, I would choose a Casio watch.
- If choosing a Suunto gauge, the only real choice is a Stinger, since it is the only one out of the four (D3/Mosquito/Stinger/D9) which is reliable and doesn't suffer the anomalyous reset problem
As an example, I have recently been diving with both an F1 and a D3 at the same time. Several times I have reached the surface only to find that the D3 had reset and not measured the dive correctly, therefore forcing me to use the depth/time registered by the F1. In the old days I used to get very frustrated when the D3 would fail over and over, but now, I just laugh!
The F1 is a little bigger than a D3, but not much; for that reason I really wouldn't understand someone who says it is 'big and bulky.'
In terms of price, everything is relative. Given the cost of the parts of the F1 (including the organic LED display and machined casing), if it were sold by a major dive company, it would be selling for $2400-$3200 USD. Why do you think there are no dive computers (except the F1) that use organic LED displays? Because it would cost too much, and a $3000 computer won't sell.
But, you don't need to pay $3000 to get an organic LED dive computer, instead you can get it at only $795... so you see if you look at it that way, things make sense. In fact, selling the F1 at $795, the profit margin is so small that the company may eventually fold (given the $100,000 debt incurred during development). It was originally planned to sell it for $1495 (which would be a more realistic profit margin), but this would alienate too many divers. The D9 is still way more expensive than the F1, reaching 1500 Euro if you buy the full featured D9, and the D9 still has the illegible and tiny LCD display.
It is kind of like saying that the NASA space shuttle is way more expensive than a Ford Explorer. You are comparing two different things....
If you need a really cheap watch which can tell you your depth, I would choose a Casio watch.
Maybe a good deal...
[ame]http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SUUNTO-D3-Free-Dive-wristop-Watch-ORANGE-DIVING_W0QQitemZ5043639812QQcategoryZ31387QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem[/ame]
or
[ame]http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SUUNTO-D3-Free-Dive-wristop-Watch-BLUE-DIVING_W0QQitemZ5043639799QQcategoryZ31387QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem[/ame]
good luck
Bill
[ame]http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SUUNTO-D3-Free-Dive-wristop-Watch-ORANGE-DIVING_W0QQitemZ5043639812QQcategoryZ31387QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem[/ame]
or
[ame]http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SUUNTO-D3-Free-Dive-wristop-Watch-BLUE-DIVING_W0QQitemZ5043639799QQcategoryZ31387QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem[/ame]
good luck
Bill
Eric,
Just in terms of business, have you considered developing the exact opposite of the f1 as a second product?
A dirt cheap but reliable bottom timer. Only shows depth and time, no other functions.
Seems like there would really be a market for those. A lot of people are asking for something they can check their depth/time on, but are unwilling to spend more on it than the rest of their gear together...
Don't get me wrong, there is definately a need for the f1 and I plan to get one my self when the d3 poops out, but just seems a larger market would be those beginners who are just looking for a basic bottom timer. Perhaps a better profit margin in such a device also?
I also know that a lot of scuba divers are buying the d3 as backup bottom timers, in case their fancy primary computer breaks. But they all complain it's unreliable and too expensive for that function...
Just in terms of business, have you considered developing the exact opposite of the f1 as a second product?
A dirt cheap but reliable bottom timer. Only shows depth and time, no other functions.
Seems like there would really be a market for those. A lot of people are asking for something they can check their depth/time on, but are unwilling to spend more on it than the rest of their gear together...
Don't get me wrong, there is definately a need for the f1 and I plan to get one my self when the d3 poops out, but just seems a larger market would be those beginners who are just looking for a basic bottom timer. Perhaps a better profit margin in such a device also?
I also know that a lot of scuba divers are buying the d3 as backup bottom timers, in case their fancy primary computer breaks. But they all complain it's unreliable and too expensive for that function...
Last edited:
jome said:
jome, you read my mind. A diving buddy and I were just discussing this on the weekend, as neither of us has a depth gauge, and we're both newbies. It would be great to get a realitively cheap gauge that's reliable and accurate, without all the bells and whistles some gauges have. All we really need right now is depth and time.
Sorry.. I don't have ANY info about this Seiko-Pipin. ...but maybe there is someone who know?
/B
/B
Billextreme said:
just from web searching... it looks like a collector's item!
http://www.seiko-divers.info/scwf/index.php?mod=103&action=1&id=1088570724
http://192.244.1.65/ca07000/cgi-bin/Blah//Blah.cgi?b=333,m=1085787949
http://www.roachman.com/seiko/pc/SLR017J.html
http://192.244.1.65/ca07000/cgi-bin/Blah//Blah.cgi?b=333,m=1085787949
I think the idea for a simple spearing watch would be good. Fine - the F1 is for those who like stats (I like 'em too !) and train for freediving competitively but equally a nice easy to read watch that measures depth, time down and surface time is about all I am after. Doubt I'll ever get into the up and down a rope thing.
I use the Mosquito after reading that the D3 suffered from reliability issues. I guess the Mosquito is fine so far. I've used it for about 18 months, diving 3 to 4 times a week maybe 3 hours to 10 hours a week ? A bit less in winter...well maybe alot less.
No problems so far and the battery is on 3 out of 4 bars.
I didn't read the manual and thought that the battery was dead and so it didn't go into freedive mode but this was because I exceeded my limits for too long - not sure either depth or time. Easily reset.
The alarm is too quiet and I never hear it but the fish do ! Had a few occasions when a bass has been coming in only to bolt away... I've looked around expecting to see something larger and then realised it was me and the dive alarm !
Things I use on it :
Surface time (for safety - I have dived without it but find it hard to judge top time - especailly if fish are around).
Bottom time (aspetto fishing).
Depth.
Temperature - this is nice but a session temp is fine rather than a 'on dive n at x depth the temp was y for p minutes...'
So Eric if you have resources to make something as described I for one would be interested - again it depends on price - like the other poster said it is nice to have but other pieces of equipment have priority - in fact other parts of my life have priority - I wouldn't want to put down $800 for a dive computer (and besides there is too much sharp granite around in the sea here).... but I guess you have your flagship to sail. Good luck think it is a good project.
Ed
I use the Mosquito after reading that the D3 suffered from reliability issues. I guess the Mosquito is fine so far. I've used it for about 18 months, diving 3 to 4 times a week maybe 3 hours to 10 hours a week ? A bit less in winter...well maybe alot less.
No problems so far and the battery is on 3 out of 4 bars.
I didn't read the manual and thought that the battery was dead and so it didn't go into freedive mode but this was because I exceeded my limits for too long - not sure either depth or time. Easily reset.
The alarm is too quiet and I never hear it but the fish do ! Had a few occasions when a bass has been coming in only to bolt away... I've looked around expecting to see something larger and then realised it was me and the dive alarm !
Things I use on it :
Surface time (for safety - I have dived without it but find it hard to judge top time - especailly if fish are around).
Bottom time (aspetto fishing).
Depth.
Temperature - this is nice but a session temp is fine rather than a 'on dive n at x depth the temp was y for p minutes...'
So Eric if you have resources to make something as described I for one would be interested - again it depends on price - like the other poster said it is nice to have but other pieces of equipment have priority - in fact other parts of my life have priority - I wouldn't want to put down $800 for a dive computer (and besides there is too much sharp granite around in the sea here
).... but I guess you have your flagship to sail. Good luck think it is a good project.Ed